Kratovil for AG?

Annie Linskey

Democratic former Congressman Frank Kratovil's name could appear on the ballot again in 2014, if a group of supporters have their way.

A "recruit Frank Kratovil" campaign has been launched to entice him to run for Attorney General in the next state-wide election. Kratovil, now a district judge in Queen Anne's County, represented the first congressional district for a single term. He was defeated by Andy Harris, a Republican.

"There is no one in Maryland more qualified to do the job," said Anne Arundel County Councilman Jamie Benoit, a Crownsville Democrat, who is a close friend and is helping to lead the effort. "He left Maryland politics way too soon."

Arthur Hock, another close Kratovil adviser, is also organizing the effort.

Most Maryland political watchers believe current Attorney General Doug Gansler, a Democrat, will vacate the job to run for governor in 2014 leaving the seat open. Gov. Martin O'Malley is term-limited and will have to leave office in January 2015.

A Kratovil candidacy could shake-up the nascent race. Sen. Brian Frosh, the chair of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, has formed an exploratory committee and has already sewn up support from a number of key Democrats including the county executives of the state's two most populous areas.

Kratovil, too, has friends in high places. He is close with Rep. Steny Hoyer, who had wanted to re-jigger the lines of the first congressional district so his ally could stage a comeback. In the end, the state Democrats targeted the sixth congressional district instead - leaving Kratovil with little hope at a return to Washington.

Kratovil could not be immediately reached for comment.

Others rumored to be considering an Attorney General race include Del. Jon Cardin and Del. Bill Frick.